Arsenal: This is a whole new Mesut Ozil

Mesut Ozil has been excellent in Mikel Arteta’s three games in charge at Arsenal. In fact, his performances have been that impressive with such a stark distinction in style and personality that this is a whole new version.

Ever since he signed a bumper £350,000-per-week contract, Mesut Ozil has struggled to justify it. The Arsenal star was enjoying a resurgent six-month period in the final year of his contract prior to the January rush and the Gunners felt they had to act. Ozil had them over the negotiating table and could demand what he wanted. Arsenal could do nothing but pay.

Find the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal Podcast here — After Everton, good luck Mikel Arteta

Since that period, the German has been poor, to say the least. And it was not just his offensive output — which was always productive even his more difficult periods before the new contract — that declined; his work-rate seemingly disappeared and his relationship with the fans fractured as a result.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

The Unai Emery era was a tough one for Ozil. He floated in and out of the team, clearly endured a rift with the manager, and rarely worked hard for the team. Emery mismanaged him, yes, but Ozil did not show the level of commitment and application you would expect from a competitive, professional footballer earning a truly elite wage. Nevertheless, when Mikel Arteta took over as head coach two weeks ago, he made it his mission to get the best out of Ozil. It did not take long.

Ozil has started all three games that Arteta has been in charge for. He has been excellent in each, playing an inside-right role similar to Kevin de Bruyne’s at Manchester City, finding pockets of space between the central midfield, central striker and winger. Lucas Torreira, David Luiz and Granit Xhaka consistently found him from deep on the half-turn as Ozil then looked to supply the frontline. He has created 11 open-play chances this season. Five of those have come in the last three matches.

But it is not just his play in possession that has been improved. In fact, that is only part of the equation, and not the most significant part. Ozil’s true transformation under Arteta has come in his work out of possession. He is working harder than ever, pressing intensely, tracking runners, winning tackles, undertaking the dirty work that Arteta demands.

Arteta himself conceded that he was impressed by Ozil’s running in the win over Manchester United:

"“I haven’t checked the physical stats yet, I was checking on other things that are, in my opinion, more relevant. But just by looking at him and what he did on that pitch, I would say so yes.”"

He later implied that Ozil has responded to his demands that the German works harder:

"“Yes [I have asked him to work harder], but not just individually to him. To all the players individually and collectively, with what I expect from them and what they have to expect from each other when they are in that football pitch. He is no different. He’s got the same capacity to run like any other player. It’s about will and about wanting to do it.”"

Ozil recovered possession ten times against Man. Utd, more than any other player on the pitch. Only Lucas Torreira and Fred covered more total distance. Per Statsbomb, Ozil recorded 44 ‘pressure events’, these being moments where he closes down an opponent in one form or another. Lacazette was the next closest with 42. Again per Statsbomb, only four players in the Premier League combined for more defensive actions, presses or counter-presses during the New Years Day fixtures.

Next. Arsenal Vs Manchester United: 5 things we learned. dark

The criticism of Ozil under Emery and before was justified. But the praise for his performances under Arteta is equally as deserved. Ozil has been excellent. In fact, he has been revitalised, changed, reborn. This is a new Ozil. Long may it continue.

Home/Arsenal News